Mae Whitman (Good Girls, Parenthood) reunites on screen with two-time Oscar®, Emmy®, and Golden Globe® nominee Mary McDonnell (The Fall of the House of Usher, Battlestar Galactica). Joining them is Jane Seymour (Harry Wild, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman), making her return to the Hallmark Channel in The Twelve Dates of Christmas. This six-episode limited holiday series, adapted from the popular novel by Jenni Bayliss, will make its world premiere during Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas, with next-day streaming available on Hallmark+.
The series also stars Julian Morris (The Morning Show, Pretty Little Liars), Toby Sandeman (Running Point, The Game), and Nathaniel Parker (Midsomer Murders). Production is currently underway in and around Dublin, Ireland, with additional exterior scenes previously filmed in London to capture the city's festive magic.
Plot Overview
Talented Savile Row textile pattern designer Kate (Whitman) resides in the charming village of Blexford, England, living next door to her father, Mac (Parker). Long divorced from Kate’s mother, Delilah (McDonnell)—a free-spirited American always off on an adventure—Mac is recovering from a motorbike accident, spending most of his time in his recliner. Kate, ever the dutiful daughter, looks after him while focusing on her work.
Unbeknownst to Kate, her best friend Laura (Lucy Eaton, Murder Maps, Staged) secretly signs her up for The 12 Dates of Christmas, a festive matchmaking program designed to introduce participants to potential romantic partners through a series of curated yuletide experiences. With encouragement from Laura and longtime friend Callum (Morris), a hesitant Kate eventually embraces the challenge. But when she meets someone (Sandeman) who reignites her passion for life, she’s left unexpectedly smitten.
Just as Kate begins to find her rhythm in the program, Delilah arrives unannounced, throwing Kate and Mac’s holiday plans into chaos. Meanwhile, Mac might be on the verge of his own romance with Evelyn (Seymour), a warm-hearted widow who helps him step outside his comfort zone. As Kate navigates her way through the 12 dates, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, leading to unexpected twists in love and life.
The miniseries is planned for the Hallmark Countdown to Christmas line up. After premiering on the Hallmark Channel, The Twelve Dates of Christmas will be available to stream on Hallmark+ the following day.